Offside follows a group of young Iranian women who go to great lengths to attend a football match. Disguised as men, they attempt to sneak past the guards and into the stadium, defying a ban that bars them from entry. In a society where rules are strict and stakes are high, their determination and courage stand out. It's a story of rebellion, hope, and the desire to be heard—echoing the kind of resistance Shostakovich faced under Soviet control.
Rumor has it that the film A Man of Integrity was smuggled out of Iran on a USB stick. Why? Because it delivers a sharp and unmistakable critique of corruption in his home country. It tells the story of Reza, a fish farmer with an uncompromising sense of justice. Refusing to get caught up in the cycle of bribery and intimidation, he becomes a persona non grata in the village. Even his wife, the head of the girls' school, grows tired of his defiance and urges him to simply fit in.
Degenerate art or ‘Entartete Kunst’ is a German term that was used during the Nazi regime to describe art that did not meet the standards of National Socialism. In Werk ohne Autor, we witness this oppression through the eyes of the young artist Kurt Barnert, who explores his development as an artist against the backdrop of political and personal trauma.
United Kingdom, 1818. At just eighteen, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin creates the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. For readers of the time, it was a warning about the dangers of advancing science. But for Mary, it was a story about being marginalized for who she was—in her case, a woman. Her name was not even permitted on the cover of the first edition. Actress Elle Fanning beautifully captures the struggles and sorrow of a woman constrained by society in Mary Shelley.
Wonder Woman is undeniably a blockbuster, featuring a superheroine from the DC Comics universe. While it shattered box office records in the Western world, it faced bans in several Arab and African countries. The controversy wasn’t about the female lead but rather about her background. Gal Gadot, who plays Wonder Woman, had served in the Israeli military, prompting 22 countries in the Arab League to blacklist the film.
British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is known for pushing boundaries, and Brüno is no exception. In this mockumentary, he plays a flamboyant gay Austrian fashion journalist. The film was banned in Ukraine after the Minister of Culture and Tourism, following a panel of experts, condemned it for ‘obscene language, homosexual scenes, and other offensive content never before shown in Ukraine’. It’s a reminder that freedom of expression remains a complex and sensitive topic.
‘A Soviet artist’s response to just criticism’: that is the subtitle Shostakovich gave his 5th Symphony. But everything about the work is ambiguous: order becomes restlessness, joy is stifled, the harmony suddenly turns shrill. The regime didn’t realize any of this, and yet Shostakovich managed to express the oppression of his people through the music.
‘A Soviet artist’s response to just criticism’: that is the subtitle Shostakovich gave his 5th Symphony. But everything about the work is ambiguous: order becomes restlessness, joy is stifled, the harmony suddenly turns shrill. The regime didn’t realize any of this, and yet Shostakovich managed to express the oppression of his people through the music.
Explore the depths of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony with pianist Florestan Bataillie in this captivating musical lecture. Unravel the hidden messages and powerful orchestrations that reflect the composer’s personal struggles and the complex political landscape of his time. Whether you’re already an aficionado or simply curious, everyone is welcome, and no prior knowledge is required!
Open rehearsals: experience the orchestra up close and feel the power of our collective.Watch the rehearsal from a unique spot: the stalls on our Studio 4 stage. Afterwards, chat with someone from on or behind the stage—be it the conductor, soloist, musician, or a production team member.
Discover everything about the Fifth Symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich! Step into the world of Symfomania! and get ready for a musical journey that will ignite your imagination! Our dynamic workshops for kids age 7-12 are filled with love stories, fairy tales, thunderous storms, and even whimsical dance moves - there are no limits in the enchanting realm of symphonic music!
Looking to deepen your concert experience? In search of historical context or musical background?
For each concert, Brussels Philharmonic offers programme notes, available in English, Dutch and French.